Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghan Shuh.
Meghan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey in the tanning industry began in 2010. While I loved the industry itself and the relationships I built with clients, I quickly realized that my passion extended beyond simply helping people achieve a tan. I became increasingly interested in skin health, education, and providing a more personalized experience for clients.
Over the years, I worked in a variety of salon environments and gained valuable experience. At the same time, I often found myself wanting a different approach, one that focused less on sales goals and more on honesty, trust, and helping clients choose what was truly best for their skin and lifestyle. I loved the clients and the industry, but I knew I wanted to create something that reflected my own values.
In 2017, I decided to take a leap of faith and start Bronzed Beauty Babes. At the time, I was coming out of a difficult chapter in my personal life and didn’t have the financial resources to open a traditional storefront. While researching different business models, I discovered Kelly Callahan, a California-based entrepreneur who operated a mobile sunless tanning business. The concept immediately resonated with me.
After researching my local market, I realized there were no mobile sunless tanning services available in my area. I began saving what I could, invested in training and equipment, and eventually launched Bronzed Beauty Babes as a mobile business.
I was actively involved in the bodybuilding community at the time and had built a loyal following on social media. That support helped introduce my services to a wider audience, and the business grew faster than I ever anticipated. I am especially grateful that Bronzed Beauty Babes was able to weather the challenges of the 2020 pandemic and continue serving clients during such an uncertain time.
In 2021, I was presented with the opportunity to join Vinty Salon and move into my own salon suite, where I continue to operate today. While I loved the flexibility and convenience of mobile tanning, spending countless hours on the road each week eventually became challenging. Transitioning into a salon space allowed me to create a more permanent home for my clients while still maintaining the personalized, one-on-one experience that Bronzed Beauty Babes was built upon.
Today, after more than 16 years in the tanning industry, I remain passionate about helping clients feel confident in their own skin. What began as a leap of faith with a mobile tanning tent has grown into a thriving business built on education, customization, skin health, and genuine relationships with the people who trust me with their care.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a completely smooth road, but I also wouldn’t change the journey.
When I launched Bronzed Beauty Babes in 2017, I was fortunate to be one of the first businesses in my area offering mobile sunless tanning services. That unique concept helped the business gain momentum quickly. However, building a business from the ground up came with its own challenges. I was learning how to wear every hat at once: technician, marketer, scheduler, customer service representative, accountant, and business owner.
Like many small business owners, I’ve experienced the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship. There were long days, late nights, financial risks, and plenty of moments where I questioned whether I was making the right decisions. Then came the 2020 pandemic, which brought a whole new set of challenges for businesses everywhere. Thankfully, the support of my clients and community helped me navigate that difficult season and come out stronger on the other side.
One of the more unique challenges I’ve faced in recent years has been navigating the rapid growth of the sunless tanning industry. I love seeing people pursue entrepreneurship and build businesses of their own, but I’ve also seen how easy it is for consumers to underestimate the skill and education that goes into a quality sunless tan.
After 16 years in the tanning industry and 8 years as a business owner, I’ve learned that sunless tanning is far more than simply applying color to the skin. It requires an understanding of skin health, body contours, undertones, product chemistry, and customization. I’ve invested countless hours into continuing education, refining my technique, and sourcing high-quality products because I believe my clients deserve the best possible experience.
The hardest part isn’t competition. It’s seeing someone who was excited about their tan leave another appointment feeling disappointed or self-conscious because they didn’t receive the results they hoped for. Confidence is often tied to how we feel about our appearance, and I never like seeing someone lose that excitement.
What I’ve noticed over the years is that many of those clients eventually find their way to me, not just looking for a better tan, but hoping I can change their perception of sunless tanning altogether. They often arrive feeling hesitant, skeptical, or convinced that spray tans simply don’t work for them because of a previous bad experience.
In many ways, my business has evolved beyond simply providing sunless tans. It’s become about improving sunless experiences. I spend a great deal of time educating clients, understanding what went wrong previously, and creating a customized solution that helps restore their confidence. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone who was once disappointed with sunless tanning leave excited about their results and realize what a properly executed spray tan can truly look like.
At the end of the day, every challenge I’ve faced has reinforced why I started Bronzed Beauty Babes in the first place. My goal has always been to provide an honest, customized experience where clients feel comfortable, confident, and cared for. The relationships I’ve built over the years and the trust my clients place in me continue to be the most rewarding part of this journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always been someone who enjoys building things, whether that’s a business, a team, or a relationship with a client. Before focusing full-time on Bronzed Beauty Babes, I spent nearly a decade managing big-box fitness facilities. That experience taught me a tremendous amount about customer service, leadership, and creating an environment where people feel welcomed and confident.
Today, in addition to operating Bronzed Beauty Babes, I help manage my husband’s excavation company, Ultra Excavating, and I own a land management company, CVU Land Management. Outside of business, you’ll usually find me spending time with my two Cane Corso’s, playing in my gardens or tending to my small hobby farm and roadside egg stand. I’ve always enjoyed staying busy and pursuing opportunities that allow me to serve people in different ways.
As for Bronzed Beauty Babes, I specialize in custom sunless tanning with a strong emphasis on skin health, education, and personalization. No two clients are exactly alike, so I don’t believe their tans should be either. Every appointment is customized based on skin tone, undertones, lifestyle, desired results, and previous tanning experiences.
What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with my clients. Many have been with me for years and continue to refer their friends and family members. That level of trust is something I never take for granted.
I think what truly sets me apart is that my business has evolved into more than providing spray tans. It’s about improving sunless tanning experiences. Many of my clients come to me after disappointing experiences elsewhere and are unsure whether sunless tanning can even look natural. I love being able to educate them, rebuild their confidence, and show them what a customized, professionally applied sunless tan can achieve.
After 16 years in the tanning industry, I still genuinely love what I do. I obsess over technique, continue investing in education and top-tier products, and constantly look for ways to improve the experience for my clients. For me, success isn’t measured by the number of tans I perform. It’s measured by the confidence someone feels when they leave my studio.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Absolutely. While Bronzed Beauty Babes may have my name behind it, no business succeeds without the support of others.
First and foremost, my parents deserve a tremendous amount of credit. From the very beginning, they’ve never doubted me. They never told me to play it safe or discouraged me from taking risks. Instead, they supported my ideas, encouraged me to chase opportunities, and trusted that I would figure things out along the way. That kind of belief is a gift, especially when you’re building something from the ground up.
My clients have also played an enormous role in the success of my business. They truly are the foundation of everything I’ve built. Some have been with me since the very beginning, nearly eight years now, and continue to trust me with their special events, vacations, weddings, and everyday confidence boosts. Many have referred their friends, family members, coworkers, and even entire bridal parties to me. There are no words to adequately express how grateful I am for that loyalty and trust.
My biggest supporter, however, is my husband. We’ve known each other since middle school, which means we’ve shared more than twenty years of life together. As an entrepreneur himself, he understands the highs, lows, risks, and sacrifices that come with building a business. He understands the stress, the long days, and the moments of self-doubt that most people never see.
What I appreciate most is that he never allows me to stay comfortable for too long. He continually encourages me to grow, challenges me to think bigger, and pushes me beyond the limits I’ve placed on myself. At the same time, he always creates space for me to be human. Even while managing businesses of our own and carrying full schedules, he’s the person who reminds me to keep going when things feel overwhelming.
When I look back on this journey, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve built, but I’m equally grateful for the people who believed in me, supported me, and helped make it possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bronzedbeautybabes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsshuh/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bronzedbeautybabes/
